COGS 2160 Chapter Notes - Chapter Crane, “Puzzle of Representation,” pp.8-26 : If And Only If, Pioneer 10, Mental Representation
13 Apr 2017
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Nasa sent pioneer 10 space probe they also placed on board a metal plate engraved with picture + signs, of hydrogen atom, a woman and a man. Idea behind this was that the probe would travel through space and perhaps the metal plate would be discovered by alien life. Perhaps the aliens would recognize our scientific intelligence and realize that our intentions are peaceful. If they understand the symbols, they would also have to understand what kind of symbols they are. (the hydrogen atom is a scientific diagram-not a picture) On the one hand representation seems natural and unproblematic, but on the other it seems mysterious. A representation is something that represents something. A representation can represent itself this sentence is false , represents the quoted sentence itself. Object of representation = where one thing represents itself, represents another thing. Questions to ask: about the nature of representations and nature of objects of representations.
